Water is essential for life, and thus the removal of water from a cell is a severe, often lethal stress. This is not a remarkable observation but it is one that is often taken for granted. Desiccation-tolerant cells implement structural, physiological and molecular mechanisms to survive severe water deficit. These mechanisms, and the components and pathways which facilitate them, are poorly understood. Here, recent developments are considered to illustrate the importance of desiccation, longevity and cell stasis in basic microbiology, and the relevance of the topic to the metabolic engineering of sensitive cells, including those of humans.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0966-842x(01)02231-4 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Los Angeles, 5151 State University Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA.
The moss Syntrichia caninervis Mitt. is distributed throughout drylands globally, and often anchors ecologically significant communities known as biological soil crusts (biocrusts). The species occupies a variety of dryland habitats with varying levels of drought and temperature stress, suggesting the potential for ecological specialization within S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntegr Zool
January 2025
School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
The invasion of cane toads (Rhinella marina) across tropical Australia has resulted in the rapid evolution of traits that enable higher rates of dispersal, and that adapt toads to hot dry climates. In anurans, a larger heart facilitates both locomotor activity and desiccation tolerance. Heart size is also often affected, either directly or indirectly, by parasite infections.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Microbiol
January 2025
Institute for Biological Sciences, Applied Ecology and Phycology, University Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
Streptofilum capillatum was recently described and immediately caught scientific attention, because it forms a phylogenetically deep branch in the streptophytes and is characterised by a unique cell coverage composed of piliform scales. Its phylogenetic position and taxonomic rank are still controversial discussed. In the present study, we isolated further strains of Streptofilum from biocrusts in sand dunes and Arctic tundra soil.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants (Basel)
December 2024
Fujian Laboratory for Rice Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute, Institute of Crop Sciences, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350001, China.
Germinated whole seeds possess elevated levels of bioactive nutrients; however, their application is hindered by several constraints. The germination process is typically time-consuming, and germinated seeds present challenges in terms of storage and transportation compared to dry seeds. This study introduces a novel processing method for rice, termed prolonged priming (PLP), aiming to combine the benefits of germinated and dry seeds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroorganisms
December 2024
Laboratorio de Fisiología Molecular de Plantas, Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad No. 1001, Col Chamilpa, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico.
Bacteria associated with plants, whether rhizospheric, epiphytic, or endophytic, play a crucial role in plant productivity and health by promoting growth through complex mechanisms known as plant growth promoters. This study aimed to isolate, characterize, identify, and evaluate the potential of endophytic bacteria from the resurrection plant in enhancing plant growth, using ecotype Col. 0 as a model system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!